David Johnson, 34 (Portage, Mich.), embodies the image of the All-American father of five. The Navy veteran, part-time stand-up comedian and once successful account manager, married his high school sweetheart and is father to five children. Johnson, a Portage, Michigan resident, once had two houses and could buy his family whatever they desired, and in today’s recession has become an unemployed family man who can’t pay his mortgage and is determined to prove to his children that he is still a great provider.

David Johnson became one of the Apprentice most talked about contestants, yes more than Amarosa with his antics and random acts of lunacy. According to his cast-mates, his behavior was unprofessional, unacceptable and irritating. He irritated them to the point where he became an outcast and was labeled, the Virus. To David, he was simply playing the game.

Although Amarosa is not a contestant on “The Apprentice” season 10, she is competing with David for the title, the Apprentice Virus in chat rooms and forums across the web.

Johnson’s comedic side paid off in season 10 episode 7 when he stepped up to earn his team a win which made him a formidable contestant in episode 8.

David shocked everyone with his amazing comeback, “the best comeback in the history of the Apprentice,” according to Donald Trump.

Although David’s efforts paid off in the previous challenge, his success and time on the Apprentice was cut short when his fixation on a male model overshadowed his judgment. The man crush and the oversight with the neck of the shirt, David said, “Will haunt me.”

Haunt him it will, as he later mentioned that while browsing the pages of a GQ magazine, he saw his man crush, Anthony in a Macy’s ad. He intends to reveal this at the finale.

In a conversation with David Johnson he talked about what he could have done differently in order to remain in the competition, and how the show has impacted his life since airing.

David Johnson On What He Could Have Done Differently

David Johnson: If I would have let someone else take the role of project manager, and not run with it; I would have kept the momentum going. Less participation and not putting myself too much out there in the last task. I don’t know if the results would have been the same-I will say-I did a lot of things right in the task. The neck haunts me and still does.

When I look back at the shirt, I kept saying to myself, ‘Why didn’t I notice it? Why didn’t I photo shop it? Why didn’t I have it changed? I think everything might have been different if it were not for that little issue. So, I would’ve, should’ve, could’ve and I didn’t so here we are.

David Johnson On The Impact of the Apprentice Professionally and Personally

David Johnson: Well professionally it has a two prang effect-a double edged sword, kind of. I am on a TV show which is good for business; I get my name out there, good. When you look back at my actions and my nickname, The Virus, and some other stuff, it has an effect where customers are curious and apprehensive. It raises concerns like, Do we want to bring the Virus in? Let’s talk about the show, I don’t want to do business with you.

It tarnished in some ways, my 10 years of business that I have behind me where I have been very successful. It has affected me-in a way, it’s harder now with new customers over the whole antics on the show.

It is very hard overcoming the objections from new customers.

A lot of watchers of the show are business people who are professionals and they take this seriously. I kind of done it in a way that was not professional.

It was fun. It will help in the long run-people will always be curious of who I am.

THE APPRENTICE

2-Hour Premiere Thursday, September 16 (9-11 p.m. ET) on NBC

Regular time, Thursdays (10-11 p.m. ET)

NBC and Donald Trump want to put America back to work, and after a long wait, the boardroom will be open again for candidates who have lost their jobs as the network showcases an updated version of the popular original alternative series “The Apprentice,” with Trump returning to preside.

Trump will give the opportunity of a lifetime to 16 new candidates ranging in age, and all of whom have been hit hard by the current economic downturn. These will include talented, qualified, and bright prospects who have lost their jobs with no hope in sight as well as recent college graduates who currently have few if any prospects. Joining Trump will be boardroom advisers Donald Trump Jr., and Ivanka Trump. Also included among the advisers will be top corporate headhunters and some guest executives relevant to the tasks at hand and to the employment environment.

The new season of “The Apprentice,” filmed in New York City, promises to be an engaging and fresh look at the changing face of corporate America. It will showcase what has turned out to be an incredible cast of candidates, all vying to become “The Apprentice” and all deserving of a fresh start to their careers.

Times have changed since “The Apprentice” first premiered in 2004. Instead of the high-flying rewards enjoyed by winning teams in previous seasons, Trump has re-directed the focus to more meaningful rewards aimed at improving the lives of the candidates. As a result, winning Project Managers will be rewarded with one-on-one meetings with some of America’s best-known business leaders and CEOs. The winner will land a job within The Trump Organization with a six-figure salary.

The Mix

About Social Dispatch

I am Jamaican born and bred, Miami-based, a full time flight attendant, student pilot, blogger and founder of Premier Guide Miami and TeaArte Caribbean tea company. I am honored to be the Miami blogger to cover the 1972 Miami Dolphins honored by President Barack Obama at the White House.